Le TGF-β (Transforming growth factor-β) régule de nombreux processus cellulaires et la dérégulation de la signalisation du TGF-β est associée à divers troubles vasculaires. Dans le laboratoire du Dr Génot, le TGF-β a été découvert comme étant le facteur capable d’induire la formation de podosomes organisés en superstructures, appelées rosettes, dans les cellules endothéliales aortiques. Les podosomes sont des structures à base d’actine, formées de façon transitoire, capables de dégrader la matrice extracellulaire (MEC). Dans ce projet, nous avons étudié les récepteurs du TGF-β et les mécanismes moléculaires associés, impliqués dans la formation des podosomes en réponse au TGF-β dans le modèle des cellules endothéliales aortiques bovines primaires (BAEc). Deux types de récepteurs du TGF-β de type I (TβRI), ALK5 et ALK1, régulent les réponses au TGF-β dans les cellules endothéliales, ALK5 étant un récepteur ubiquitaire et ALK1 étant un récepteur dont l’expression est restreinte aux cellules endothéliales. Ces deux récepteurs contrôlent l'activation de protéines Smads distinctes et réagissent à la stimulation par le TGF-β. ALK5 active Smad2/3 et ALK1 active Smad1/5/8. BMP9 est un autre ligand d’ALK1. ALK1 n'active pas Smad2/3 dans les BAEc et BMP9 inhibe la formation des podosomes induite par le TGF-β. La stimulation de Smad1/5/8 par le traitement au TGF-β est induite par la signalisation du complexe ALK1/ALK5. En utilisant une approche à base de siRNA ciblant l’un ou l’autre des TβRI, l’induction des podosomes par le TGF-β est supprimée. Cependant, la transfection des TβRI constitutivement actifs (CA) a montré que l’expression du CA-ALK5 se substitue au TGF-β pour induire des podosomes alors que l'expression du CA-ALK1 est inefficace. Concernant la signalisation en aval des TβRI, l'implication des protéines Smads a également été étudiée dans la régulation du processus. La diminution d’expression de Smad3 abolit complètement la formation des podosomes induite par le TGF-β alors que la déplétion des protéines Smad1 ou Smad5 augmente leur formation. La surexpression des protéines Smad2 ou Smad3, elles aussi, dans une certaine mesure, se substituent aux signaux du TGF-β, alors que la surexpression de Smad1 diminue la formation des podosomes en réponse au TGF-β. Le TGF-β est également capable de moduler la formation d'un autre type de structure d'actine appelée étoiles d’actine. Le nombre de cellules présentant des étoiles d'actine diminue avec le traitement au TGF-β. Cependant, dans les cellules déficientes en Smad3, la formation de ces étoiles d’actine semble être stimulée par le TGF-β. Dans les BAEc, la rigidité ainsi que les protéines de la MEC semblent aussi moduler la formation des podosomes et des étoiles d'actine. Ces travaux démontrent que, bien que le TGF-β stimule à la fois ALK5 et ALK1, la signalisation d’ALK5 induit la formation des podosomes et la signalisation d’ALK1 atténue ce signal. Les voies canoniques, par l’intermédiaire de la régulation des protéines Smads, contribuent à la formation des podosomes induits par le TGF-β dans les BAEc. / Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) regulates a wide array of cellular processes and deregulation of TGF-β signalling is associated with various vascular disorders. In the Lab of Dr. Génot it was discovered that TGF-β induces the formation of podosomes organised in superstructures called rosettes, in aortic endothelial cells. Podosomes are transient actin-based structures able to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM). In this project we have studied TGF-β receptors and associated molecular mechanisms underlying podosome formation in response to TGF-β in primary bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEc). Two types of TGF-β type I receptors (TβRI), ALK5 and ALK1, regulate TGF-β responses in endothelial cells. ALK5 being an ubiquitous receptor and ALK1 being endothelial cell specific. Both ALK5 and ALK1 receptors control the activation of distinct Smad proteins, and both are responsive to TGF-β stimulation. ALK5 activates Smad 2/3 and ALK1 activates Smad 1/5/8. BMP9 is another ligand for ALK1. ALK1 doesn’t activate Smad2/3 in BAEc and ALK1 inhibits TGFβ-induced podosome formation. Smad1/5/8 stimulation by TGF-β treatment is induced through ALK1/ALK5 complex signalling. Using a knockdown approach, at the TβRI level, TGF-β induction of podosomes was inhibited. However, transfection of constitutively active (CA) TβRI showed that CA-ALK5 expression bypassed the TGF-β requirement for podosome induction whereas CA-ALK1 expression was ineffective. Looking downstream of TβRI signalling, the involvement of Smad proteins was also analysed in terms of podosome formation. Smad3 depletion completely abolished TGFβ-induced podosome formation whereas depletion of Smad1 or Smad5 proteins enhanced the TGFβ-induced podosome response. When overexpressed, Smad2 or Smad3, to some extent, bypassed TGFβ signals, whereas Smad1 overexpression diminished the TGFβ-induced podosome response. TGF-β also modulated the formation of another type of actin structure named actin-stars. The number of cells presenting actin-stars decreased with TGF-β treatment. However, in Smad3 depleted cells the formation of these actin-stars seemed to be stimulated by TGF-β. In BAEc stiffness and ECM proteins also seemed to modulate podosome and actin star formation. This project establishes that although TGF-β stimulates both ALK5 and ALK1, ALK5 signalling triggers podosome formation and ALK1 mitigates this signal. The canonical pathways through Smad protein regulation are important for TGF-β induced podosome in BAEc.

<p>Maintenance of vascular homeostasis is an active process that is dependent on continuous signaling by the quiescent endothelial cells (ECs) that line mature vessels. Defects in vascular homeostasis contribute to numerous disorders of significant clinical impact including hypertension and atherosclerosis. The signaling pathways that are active in quiescent ECs are distinct from those that regulate angiogenesis but are comparatively poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the previously uncharacterized scaffolding protein Caskin2 is a novel regulator of EC quiescence and that loss of Caskin2 in mice results in elevated blood pressure at baseline. Caskin2 is highly expressed in ECs from various vascular beds both in vitro and in vivo. When adenovirally expressed in vitro, Caskin2 inhibits EC proliferation and migration but promotes survival during hypoxia and nutrient deprivation. Likewise, loss of Caskin2 in vivo promotes increased vascular branching and permeability in mouse and zebrafish models. Caskin2 knockout mice are born in normal Mendelian ratios and appear grossly normal during early adulthood. However, they have consistently elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure at baseline and significant context-dependent abnormalities in systemic metabolism (e.g., body weight, fat deposition, and glucose homeostasis). Although the precise molecular mechanisms of these effects remain unclear, we have shown that Caskin2 interacts with several proteins known to have important roles in endothelial biology and cardiovascular disease including the serine/threonine phosphatase PP1, the endothelial receptor Tie1, and eNOS, which is a critical regulator of vascular homeostasis. Ongoing work seeks to further characterize the functions of Caskin2 and its mechanisms of action with a focus on how Caskin2-mediated regulation of endothelial phenotype relates to its systemic effects on cardiovascular and metabolic function.</p> / Dissertation

O melanoma é uma neoplasia de pele invasivo, com maior taxa de morte, sem tratamento efetivo. Nanocápsulas poliméricas de núcleo lipídico (LNC) tem sido empregadas com sucesso como carreadores de fármacos hidrofóbicos. Como o eugenol é um composto hidrofóbico com atividades antiproliferativas e pró-apoptóticas em células cancerosas, visamos avaliar os efeitos dos tratamentos com acetileugenol (AC), LNC ou LNC contendo acetileugenol (LNC-AC) em modelo de melanoma in vivo em camundongos C57B6, e a citotoxicidade dos mesmos em células endoteliais (HUVEC) e de melanoma (SK-Mel-28) in vitro. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que: 1) tratamentos i.p. com as LNC ou com LNC-AC (50 mg/kg, 3-10 dia de indução do tumor) induziram toxicidade sistêmica e, somente o tratamento com LNC inibiu o desenvolvimento do melanoma. O tratamento com LNC, mas não com a mistura de triglicerídeos de cadeia média, por via oral, inibiu o desenvolvimento tumoral, sem toxicidade. Adicionalmente, os tratamentos com AC, LNC ou LNC-AC não foram eficazes quando administrados em fase tardia de evolução tumoral (50 mg/kg, 7-17 dia de indução do tumor, via oral); 2) os tratamentos agudos com AC, LNC ou LNC-AC (20 mg/kg, 200 &#181;L, e.v.) não alteraram o número de leucócitos circulantes, mas os tratamentos com LNC ou com LNC-AC reduziram o comportamento de rolling dos leucócitos em vênulas póscapilares do músculo cremaster e causaram hemólise, sendo que este último efeito também foi observado após tratamento in vitro em hemácias murinas; 3) Os estudos in vitro mostraram que as LNC e LNC-AC foram captadas pelas células HUVEC e SK-Mel-28 após 1 hora de incubação; que a incubação com LNC-AC induziu apoptose tardia e necrose com maior eficácia em SK-Mel-28 do que em HUVEC; que as incubações com LNC ou LNC-AC exerceram efeitos antiproliferativos, induzindo parada na fase G2/M do ciclo celular das duas linhagens de células avaliadas; que somente a incubação com AC ou LNC-AC inibiu a adesão ao Matrigel® com maior eficácia na linhagem SK-Mel-28 do que HUVEC; que somente a incubação com as LNC reduziram a expressão de VCAM-1 em HUVEC e que as incubações com LNC ou LNC-AC reduziram a expressão de &#946;3 integrina em SK-Mel- 28; que nenhum dos tratamentos alterou a migração celular das HUVEC ou SK-Mel- 28; que somente a incubação com LNC-AC reduziu os níveis de espécies reativas de oxigênio em HUVEC e SK-Mel-28; que a incubação com LNC ou LNC-AC aumentou a produção de óxido nítrico (NO) pelas duas linhagens de células avaliadas; que o tratamento com L-NAME reverteu os níveis de NO e a inibição sobre a proliferação celular induzida pela incubação com LNC ou LNC-AC e; que o tratamento de células de melanoma murino com LNC ou LNC-AC parece alterar a polarizar os neutrófilos para o fenótipo N1. Associados, os resultados obtidos mostram o tratamento oral com LNC inibe o crescimento do melanoma sem induzir efeitos tóxicos, e que este efeito benéfico pode ser dependente, pelo menos em parte, da nanoencapsulação dos triglicerídios de cadeia média e da supraestrutura da formulação, com toxicidade direta sobre as células de melanoma e possível modulação do microambiente tumoral. / Melanoma is the most invasive skin cancer, with high rates of death without effective treatment. Polymeric lipid-core nanocapsules (LNC) has been successfully used as carriers of hydrophobic drugs. As eugenol is an hydrophobic compound with antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity in cancer cells, here we aimed to evaluate the effects of treatments with acetyleugenol (AC), LNC or LNC containing acetyleugenol (LNC-AC) in an in vivo melanoma model in C57BL6 mice and the cytotoxicity of the treatments in vitro, using endothelial (HUVEC) and melanoma (SK-Mel- 28) cells. The results obtained showed that: 1) i.p. treatments with LNC or LNCAC (50 mg/kg, 3-10 days of tumor injection) induced systemic toxicity and, only the treatment with LNC inhibited the melanoma development. Treatment with LNC, but not with mix of triglycerides of medium chain, by oral route, inhibited the tumor development, without toxicity. In addition, the treatments with AC, LNC or LNC-AC were not effective when administered in the late stage of tumor evolution (50 mg/kg, 10-20 days of tumor induction, oral route); 2) the acute treatments with AC, LNC or LNC-AC (20 mg/kg, 200 &#181;L, intravenous route) did not altered the number of circulating leukocytes, but the treatments with LNC or LNC-AC reduced the rolling behavior of leukocytes in postcapillary venules of the cremaster muscle and induced hemolysis. The latter effect was also observed after in vitro treatment using murine erythrocytes; 3) In vitro studies showed that the LNC and LNC-AC suffered uptake by HUVEC and SK-Mel-28 cells after 1 hour of incubation; that the incubation with LNC-AC induced late apoptosis and necrosis more effectively in SK-Mel-28 than in HUVEC cells; that the incubation with LNC or LNC-AC presented antiproliferative effects, by inducing G2M arrest in cell cycle in both cells lines evaluated; that only the incubation with AC or LNC-AC inhibited the adhesion in Matrigel® with more efficaccy in SK-Mel-28 than in HUVEC cells; that only incubtion with LNC reduced the VCAM-1 expression in HUVEC and the incubation with LNC or LNC-AC reduced the &#946;3 integrin expression in SK-Mel-28 cells; that any treatment affected the HUVEC or SK-Mel- 28 migration; that only the incubation with LNC-AC reduced the levels of reactive species of oxygen in HUVEC and SK-Mel-28 cells; that the incubation with LNC or LNC-AC increased the nitric oxide (NO) production by both cell lines used; that the treatment with L-NAME reversed the NO levels and the inhibition on cell proliferation induced by incubation with LNC or LNC-AC and; that the in vitro treatment of murine with LNC or LNC-AC altered the neutrophil polarization to N1 phenotype. Together, results obtained show that the oral treatment with LNC inhibit the melanoma growth without any toxic effect, and that the beneficial effect could be dependent, at least in part, of nanoencapsulation of medium chain triglycerides and the supraestrucuture of the formulation, with direct toxicity on melanoma cells and possible modulation of tumor microenvironment.

Diversos estudos, in vivo e in vitro, demonstraram a atividade antitumoral da Crotoxina (CTX), toxina majoritária do veneno de serpente Crotalus durissus terrificus, porém, não foi demonstrada, até o momento, a ação desta toxina sobre eventos envolvidos com a neovascularização, essenciais para o crescimento e sobrevivência do tumor. Assim, neste estudo foi investigado o efeito in vitro da CTX sobre os eventos envolvidos com a angiogênese. A CTX inibiu, principalmente na concentração de 1,2µg/mL, a proliferação, adesão e a morfologia das células endoteliais murinas derivados do hemangioma do timo (t.End.1) sobre as matrizes de laminina, colágeno tipo I e fibronectina, bem como a migração por meio dos modelos de cicatrização (Wound Healing), quimiotaxia (transwell) e a formação de tubos no matrigel 3-D, tanto na presença de meio de cultura como no meio condicionado de célula tumoral. Ainda, a CTX inibiu a distribuição das subunidades v e 2 de integrinas e a polimerização do citoesqueleto de actina, evidenciados em microscopia confocal. Os resultados demonstram, pela primeira vez, que a CTX inibe os principais eventos envolvidos com a angiogênese, podendo contribuir de forma importante para o efeito inibitório da toxina sobre a progressão tumoral. / Several studies, in vivo and in vitro have demonstrated antitumor activity of Crotoxin (CTX), the major toxin of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. Despite evidence of antitumor action of CTX, was not demonstrated yet the action of this toxin on basic parameters for neovascularization, essential for the growth and survival of the tumor. The formation of new blood vessels is the principal process of angiogenesis and involves adhesion, proliferation and migration of endothelial cells to reach remote targets, assembly of endothelial cells into new capillary tubes. CTX (1.2 µg/mL, for 1 hour incubation), inhibited cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, scratch wound healing and capillary-like tube formation on 3-D matrix of endothelial cells line derived from thymus (t.End.1) evaluated in vitro assay at culture medium or conditioned medium obtained from tumour cells culture. Also, this toxin interfered with the distribution of the integrin subunits 2 and v and with the cytoskeleton rearrangement these cells, evidenced in confocal microscope. Taken together, these results demonstrated for the first time, that CTX inhibits key events involved in the angiogenesis process, and may contribute for inhibitory effect of the toxin on tumor progression.

A grande procura da humanidade por meios que favoreçam uma vida saudável tem impulsionado as pesquisas por novas substâncias capazes de satisfazer tais necessidades, e entre estas substâncias encontram-se os fitoestrógenos. Processos biológicos relacionados a Doenças Cardiovasculares (DCV) e outras doenças podem ser afetados por essas substâncias presentes em plantas. O fitoestrógeno resveratrol é um polifenol especialmente encontrado na uva e seus derivados, e sua ingestão tem sido associada à baixa taxa de mortalidade por câncer e DCV. Os fitoestrógenos das plantas possuem semelhança estrutural e funcional com o estrógeno, com propriedades que beneficiam o metabolismo celular através de ação antioxidante e antiagregante plaquetária. O endotélio é o principal alvo da ação dos estrógenos. Eles promovem a redução do engrossamento da parede vascular, aceleram o processo de reconstrução do endotélio após injúria vascular e favorecem a angiogênese. Os estrógenos diminuem a expressão de moléculas de adesão em resposta à citocinas e possuem efeito anti-apoptótico nas células endoteliais. Polifenóis são fitoestrógenos com alto potencial antioxidante presentes em frutas, grãos, vegetais, nozes e raízes. Estes compostos vêm sendo amplamente estudados por seus efeitos na supressão de tumores e na prevenção de DCV em modelos animais. Neste estudo, temos como objetivo geral avaliar a ação do resveratrol na produção de óxido nítrico e prostaglandina E2 em modelo in vitro de células endoteliais da linhagem ECV 304, bem como atividade antioxidante. O objetivo específico é determinar a melhor concentração do resveratrol em que se observa uma potente liberação de substâncias vasoativas e maior proteção contra radicais livres, conferindo proteção e prevenção de DCV. / The vast search of humanity for ways that favors a healthy life has driven the researches for substances capable of meeting such needs, and among these substances there are the phytoestrogens. Biological processes related to Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and other illness can be affected by these substances present in plants. The phytoestrogen resveratrol is a polyphenol specially found in grapes and derivates, and its ingestion has been associated to low mortality rates by cancer and CVD. The plants phytoestrogens are similar structurally and functionally with estrogens, with properties that benefit cellular metabolism through their antioxidant and antiplatelet action. The endothelium is estrogen´s major target. They reduce thickening of the vascular wall, accelerate the reconstruction process of vascular endothelial after injury and promote angiogenesis. The estrogens decrease the expression of adhesion molecules in response to cytokines and have antiapoptotic effect on endothelial cells, and promotes raising in nitric oxide (NO) production. Polyphenols are phytoestrogens with high antioxidant effect present in fruits, grains, vegetables, nuts and roots. These compounds have been extensively studied due to their effect on tumors suppression and CVD prevention in animal models. In this study, we evaluated resveratrol´s action in nitric oxide production and prostaglandin E2 in in vitro model of endothelial cells ECV304, as well as it´s antioxidant activity. The specific objective is to determine the best concentration of resveratrol in which observes a potent liberation of vasoactive factors and the best anti free radical activity, leading to protection and prevention of CVD.

Plaquetas e células tumorais interagem em uma reação cruzada com proteínas do plasma, via integrina &#945;IIb&#946;3 e &#945;v&#946;3, respectivamente. A integrina &#945;v&#946;3 também encontra-se presente na angiogênese tumoral. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a GST-INS, uma disintegrina recombinante do veneno de Bothrops insularis em eventos da progressão tumoral. Em condições estáticas, GST-INS foi capaz de inibir totalmente a adesão de células HUVECs e SK-MEL-28 às plaquetas em comparação ao controle e ao Aggrastat® (inibidor seletivo da integrina &#945;IIb&#946;3). Além de inibir a TCIPA (agregação plaquetária induzida por células tumorais) a GST-INS também inibiu a invasão de SK-MEL-28 em substrato de matrigel. Células t.End.1 ou SK-MEL-28 pré-incubadas com GST-INS não formaram túbulos no substrato de matrigel. Análise por microscopia confocal mostrou que GST-INS liga-se a integrina &#945;v presente nas células SK-MEL-28. Nossos resultados sugerem que essa disintegrina pode ser utilizada como potencial ferramenta no estudo e desenvolvimento de antiangiogênicos e antimetastáticos. / Platelets and tumor cells interact in a cross-react with plasma proteins via integrin &#945;IIb&#946;3 and &#945;v&#946;3 , respectively.The integrin &#945;v&#946;3 is also strongly stimulated in tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of GST-INS, a recombinant disintegrin from Bothrops insularis venom on events of tumor progression. Under static conditions, GST-INS was able to completely inhibit the adhesion of endothelial cells (HUVECs) and melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28) to platelets compared to control and Aggrastat® (selective inhibitor of integrin &#945;IIb&#946;3). In addition, GST-INS inhibit TCIPA (platelet aggregation induced by tumor cells) GST-INS also inhibited SK-MEL-28 on matrigel invasion substrate. t.End.1 cells or SK-MEL-28 pre-incubated with GST-INS were not able to form tubules in matrigel substrate. Analysis by confocal microscopy showed that GST-INS binds to integrin &#945;v present in SK-MEL-28 cells. The results suggest that disintegrin can be used as a potential tool in the study and development of antiangiogenic and antimetastatic.

O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é uma doença autoimune e protótipo das doenças por imunocomplexos (IC). A deposição de IC em tecidos ou órgãos leva a um processo inflamatório crônico, que resulta em lesão tecidual. A fisiopatologia deste processo envolve principalmente o sistema do complemento (SC), receptores de IgG (Fc?R), neutrófilos e moléculas de adesão. Os produtos de ativação SC atraem os neutrófilos para o foco inflamatório e sua interação com os IC depositados resulta na liberação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) e das enzimas dos neutrófilos sobre os tecidos. As ERO podem levar a danos nas estruturas celulares devido ao estresse oxidativo, resultando na exposição de autoantígenos e sustentação da autoimunidade. Várias anormalidades envolvendo neutrófilos, função e expressão dos Fc?R e CR foram descritas no LES. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se essas alterações podem ter implicações para o dano tecidual através do depósito de IC. Devido à importância das interações neutrófilo-endotélio-SC para a inflamação e lesão tecidual por IC no LES, este estudo propôs avaliar o efeito da ativação de neutrófilos e produtos do SC sobre as células endoteliais in vitro. Os resultados mostram que a exposição das células endoteliais aos neutrófilos/LES ativo, sem estímulo, resulta em maior peroxidação lipídica comparada com o controle espontâneo, o que não foi observado com neutrófilos/saudáveis. Contudo, na presença de IC/SHN, a peroxidação lipídica foi maior quando as células endoteliais foram expostas aos neutrófilos/LES inativo comparada ao controle espontâneo. O efeito da ativação dos neutrófilos, em todos os grupos, sobre a peroxidação lipídica das células endoteliais foi dependente da opsonização dos IC pelo complemento (IC/SHN), uma vez que não foi observado quando as proteínas do complemento foram inativadas (IC/SHI). Não houve diferença na produção de ERO entre os neutrófilos dos grupos estudados. Observou-se menor expressão dos Fc?RIIa (CD32) e CR1 em neutrófilos/LES ativo, quando comparados com o grupo controle. Houve maior liberação de catalase pelos neutrófilos/LES, quando estes foram estimulados via Fc?R, e maior produção de glutationa por neutrófilos/LES inativo quando estas células foram estimuladas via Fc?R e CR. A expressão de ICAM-1 não foi diferente entre os grupos de neutrófilos, entretanto foi menor na ausência de complemento. Não houve diferença na medida da ativação da via clássica do complemento avaliada pelo fragmento C4d. Estes resultados mostram que as células endoteliais são mais suscetíveis à peroxidação lipídica na presença de neutrófilos/LES. Contudo, quando o complemento do soro é inativado, esta suscetibilidade desaparece, bem como há menor liberação de ICAM-1 por todos os grupos de neutrófilos e maior liberação de catalase por neutrófilos/LES. A interação dos neutrófilos/LES com células endoteliais pode ser deletéria para este último e depender da atividade das proteínas do sistema complemento. O modelo desenvolvido neste estudo pode contribuir para a compreensão do envolvimento dos neutrófilos e do SC nas lesões teciduais no LES. / Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease and prototype of immune complex diseases (IC). The deposition of IC in tissues or organs leads to a chronic inflammatory process, which results in tissue injury. The pathophysiology of this process mainly involves the complement system (SC), IgG (Fc?R) receptors, neutrophils and adhesion molecules. SC activation products attract neutrophils to the inflammatory focus and their interaction with deposited IC results in the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neutrophil enzymes into tissues. ROS can lead to damage to cell structures due to oxidative stress, resulting in the exposure of autoantigens and the support of autoimmunity. Several abnormalities involving neutrophils, function and expression of Fc?R and CR have been described in SLE. The aim of this study was to assess whether these changes may have implications for tissue damage through the deposition of IC. Due to the importance of neutrophil-endothelial-SC interactions for inflammation and tissue damage by IC in SLE, this study proposed to evaluate the effect of the activation of neutrophils and SC products on endothelial cells in vitro. The results show that exposure of endothelial cells to active neutrophils / SLE without stimulus results in higher lipid peroxidation compared to spontaneous control, which was not observed with neutrophils / healthy. However, in the presence of IC / complement from normal human serum (NHS), lipid peroxidation was greater when endothelial cells were exposed to inactive neutrophils / SLE compared to spontaneous control. The effect of neutrophil activation in all groups on endothelial cell lipid peroxidation was dependent on IC with complement (IC / NHS), as it was not observed when complement proteins were inactivated (IC / INHS). There was no difference in ROS production among the neutrophils of the studied groups. Lower expression of Fc?RIIa (CD32) and CR1 in active neutrophils / SLE, when compared with the control group, was observed. There was greater release of catalase by neutrophils / SLE, when they were stimulated via Fc?R, and increased production of glutathione by neutrophils / inactive SLE when these cells were stimulated via Fc?R and CR. There was no difference in expression of ICAM-1 between the neutrophil groups, however it was lower in the absence of complement. There was no difference in the extent of the activation of the classical complement pathway evaluated by the C4d fragment. These results show that endothelial cells are more susceptible to lipid peroxidation in the presence of neutrophils / SLE. However, when serum complement is inactivated, this susceptibility disappears, as well as there is a lower release of ICAM-1 by all neutrophil groups and greater release of catalase by neutrophils / SLE. The interaction of neutrophils / SLE with endothelial cells may be deleterious to the latter and depends on the activity of the complement system proteins. The model developed in this study may contribute to the understanding of neutrophil and SC involvement in tissue lesions in SLE.

5‐羟色胺（5-HT）是一种强有力的血管活性神经递质，被广泛的应用在调节血管张力。当5‐HT 被释放后，会被单胺氧化酶（MAOs）催化的酶促反应代谢，从而产生不同的代谢产物，比如5‐HIAA，5‐HTOL 和过氧化氢（H₂O₂）。然而，5‐HT对于内皮细胞活性氧物种（ROS）的产生作用以及5‐HT 转运体，5‐HT 受体，MAOs和ROS 的产生伴随着细胞内钙变化是否参与了其中的信号传导尚未被阐明。所以，这个研究最初的目的是考查外源性加入的5‐HT 对于脐静脉内皮细胞中ROS产生的影响以及其潜在的生物机理。 / 数据清楚的显示在没有L‐NAME（一种抑制一氧化氮（NO）产生的抑制剂）预处理的情况下，5‐HT 并不能在脐静脉内皮细胞内产生显著性的ROS。然而，在L‐NAME 预处理的情况下，NO 的产生被完全抑制，我们观察到明显的显著性的线粒体内的ROS 产生。5‐HT 产生的线粒体ROS 可以被clorgyline（一种MAO‐A 抑制剂），indatraline（一种5‐HT 转运体阻断剂），LY272015（一种5‐HT‐2B 受体拮抗剂），ketanserin（一种5‐HT2A 受体拮抗剂），XeC（一种IP3 受体拮抗剂），Gd³⁺（一种非选择性TRP 通道阻断剂），BAPTA（一种强效钙离子螯合剂），PEG‐Catalase，U73122（一种选择性PLC 抑制剂）以及没有钙离子的培养基所阻止。同时，5‐HT介导的胞内钙离子变化被XeC, Gd³⁺, BAPTA, U73122, ketanserin, LY272015 以及没有钙离子的培养基所阻止。另外，MAO‐A 基因敲除抑制了5‐HT 导致的线粒体ROS的产生却对5‐HT 介导的胞内钙离子变化没有影响。基于以上所述的结果，我们可以得出结论，通过5‐HT 转运体，5‐HT 被摄取入细胞内，然后通过MAO‐A 介导的酶促代谢反应，产生钙离子依赖性的线粒体内ROS 的产生，这一结论对于解释血小板聚集而引起的内皮细胞功能性障碍起到非常重要的作用。 / 根据前人所述，内皮细胞内产生的ROS 对于内皮细胞通透性变化有着重要的作用，但是5‐HT 诱导的脐静脉内皮细胞ROS 的增加是否会对内皮通透性有所影响并没有被说明。在这项研究中，我们设计了实验旨在测试平面细胞表面积（ PCSA ）， 跨内皮电阻（ TER ）， 细胞高度， 肌球蛋白轻链磷酸化（MLCphosphorylation）和肌动蛋白细胞骨架（F‐actin cytoskeleton）水平的变化。此外，b‐catenin 在ROS 引起的F‐actin cytoskeleton 重组中的作用也在我们的讨论范围之内。 / 数据表明，在L‐NAME 预处理的情况下，5-HT 降低了脐静脉内皮的PCSA，TER 以及细胞高度，却增加了MLCP 和与b‐catenin 表达负相关的F‐actincytoskeleton 的水平。这些作用明显被PEG‐Catalase 预处理和MAO‐A 基因敲除减弱，证明了5‐HT 通过MAO‐A 介导产生的H₂O₂ 可以增加内皮细胞的通透性。 / 据文献报道，不论内源性还是外源性的低浓度的H₂O₂ 都可以激活导致血管生成的信号通路。文献进一步表明5‐HT 可以通过特定的5‐HT 受体亚型促进各种类型的内皮细胞的血管生成。然而，5‐HT 诱导的H₂O₂ 对于脐静脉内皮的血管生成作用并没有被报道。我们通过最初的实验先验证5‐HT 对于内皮细胞增殖和迁移的影响，然后我们才去验证H₂O₂ 在其中的作用及其潜在的机理。 / 实验结果表明，在L‐NAME 预处理的情况下，不论是急性（30 分钟）还是慢性（24 小时）的5‐HT 的处理都可以导致脐静脉内皮细胞的迁移，而这个作用会被5‐HT‐2 受体拮抗剂ketanserin，LY272015，ROS 清除剂PEG‐Catalase 以及PI3K的抑制剂wortmannin 所抑制。同时，在L‐NAME 预处理下，5‐HT 增加了cortactin,p‐Akt 和 p‐eNOS 的蛋白表达量而并没有影响Akt, eNOS 和p‐cortactin 的蛋白表达量。而5‐HT 增加的p‐Akt 和p‐eNOS 的蛋白表达被wortmannin 和PEG‐Catalase所抑制。不论是在Cyuant 细胞增殖检测还是在BrdU 细胞增殖检测中，5‐HT 诱导了一种非显著性的DNA 合成的增加，并且再BrdU 细胞增殖检测中，增加了的DNA 合成被PEG‐Catalase 显著性降低。总结以上实验结果，我们可以得出结论，通过一种5‐HT‐2 受体介导的PI3K 依赖性通路，而不是cortactin 磷酸化依赖性的信号通，路5‐HT 可以引导内皮细胞迁移。 / 除此之外，ROS 也被印证可以加剧内皮细胞的炎症反应和加速内皮细胞的老化。因此，我们也观察了5‐HT 对于粘附蛋白比如ICAM‐1 和VCAM‐1 以及抗老化因子SIRT‐1 的表达是否有影响。数据表明，在L‐NAME 预处理的情况下，30 分钟的5‐HT 处理显著的增加了ICAM‐1，SIRT‐1 而不是VCAM‐1 的表达。同时，这些作用均可以被PEG‐Catalase 所抑制表明了5‐HT 通过诱导H₂O₂ 的产生来形式其促进炎症反应和抗衰老的作用。 / 最后，总结以上，通过抑制NO 的产生，5‐HT 可以通过MAO‐A 介导的酶促代谢反应在人体脐静脉内皮细胞线粒体诱导ROS 的产生。同时，5‐HT 诱导的H₂O₂参与了改变内皮细胞通透性，促进血管生成（内皮迁移）及炎症反应的过程。 / 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), a potent vasoactive neurotransmitter, is involved in the regulation of vascular tone. After its release, 5-HT is terminated at the nerve terminals via enzymatic metabolism catalyzed by monoamine oxidases (MAOs), resulting in the generation of different metabolites (e.g. 5-HIAA, 5-HTOL and H₂O₂). Our lab demonstrates for the first time that 5-HT-induced ROS production indeed occurs and therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate exogenously added 5-HT on ROS generation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), in order to understand the mechanisms involved in 5-HT-induced ROS production. / Our results clearly demonstrated that in the absence of L-NAME(a NO production inhibitor), there wasno apparent ROS production induced by 5-HT. However, after the inhibition of NO synthesis by L-NAME, 5-HT caused a significant increase in mitochondrial H₂O₂ production. The 5-HT-induced mitochondrial H₂O₂ generation was sensitive to clorgyline (a MAO-A inhibitor), indatraline (a 5-HT transporter blocker), LY272015 (a 5-HT2B antagonist) and ketanserin (a 5-HT2A antagonist), Xextospongin C（XeC，a IP3 receptor antagonist), Gd³⁺ (a non-selective TRP channel blocker), BAPTA (a potent Ca²⁺ ions chelator), PEG-Catalase, U73122 (a selective PLC inhibitor), and in [Ca²⁺]o-free medium. Concurrently, 5-HT-mediated [Ca²⁺]i changes were sensitive to XeC, Gd³⁺, BAPTA, U73122, ketanserin, LY272015, and in [Ca²⁺]o-free conditions. In addition, gene knockdown of MAO-A suppressed 5-HT-elicited H₂O₂ production with no effects on [Ca²⁺]i changes. Based on all the results above, we can conclude that 5-HT caused a Ca²⁺-dependent mitochondrial H₂O₂ generation via MAO-A-mediated metabolism with the pre-requisite uptake of 5-HT into HUVECs through 5-HT transporter. / ROS derived from endothelial cells have been implicated in changes in endothelial permeability, but whether 5-HT-induced H₂O₂ generation could alter endothelial cells permeability has as yet not been demonstrated. Here, we measured the planar cell surface area (PCSA), transendothelial electrical resistance (TER), cell height, myosin light chain phosphorylation and F-actin cytoskeleton level in response to 5-HT challenge to investigate the change of endothelial permeability. Moreover, the participation of β-catenin in regulation of F-actin cytoskeleton remodeling in ROS-modulated alteration in endothelial permeability was also investigated. Results indicated that in the presence of L-NAME, 5-HT reduced the PCSA, TER and cell height in HUVECs. In contrast, 5-HT (with L-NAME) increased myosin light chain phosphorylation (MLCP) expression and F-actin cytoskeleton level, which are negatively associated with β-catenin expression. All of these effects were ameliorated by pre-treatment of PEG-Catalase or gene knockdown of MAO-A, implying 5-HT can consistently elicit the increase in endothelial permeability via MAO-A mediated H₂O₂ generation. / Low dose of ROS from exogenous or endogenous source can activate signaling pathway that lead to angiogenesis.5-HT can promote endothelial angiogenesis through specific 5-HT receptor subtype in various endothelial cell types, but the concomitant ROS generation had not previously been indicated to play a role in the process. In this study, we seek to test out the effects of 5-HT on endothelial cells migration, and should there be a functional role for ROS in the process. / Our results revealed that in the presence of L-NAME, both acute (30 min) and chronic (24 hr) treatment of 5-HT caused HUVECs migration, the effects of which were reversed by pre-incubation of 5-HT-2 receptor antagonists, ketanserin, LY272015, ROS scavenger PEG-Catalase or selective PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. With L-NAME, 5-HT consistently increased cortactin, p-Akt and p-eNOS expression without affecting total Akt, eNOS and p-cortactin protein expression whereas the increased p-Akt and p-eNOS expression are suppressed by pre-treatment of wortmanin or PEG-Catalase. Both in Cyuant cell proliferation assay and BrdU assay, 5-HT caused a trend but non-significant increase in DNA synthesis whereas the pre-treatment of PEG-Catalase significantly suppressed cell proliferation in the BrdU assay. Based on these results, we can conclude that 5-HT elicits endothelial migration via 5-HT-2 receptor-mediated H₂O₂ generation in a PI3K-dependent pathway. Under this circumstance, cortactin phosphorylation-dependent pathway was excluded. / Besides, ROS is notorious for effects like aggravation of inflammation and acceleration aging processes. The investigation extends to looking at alterations ofexpression of adhesion protein including ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the inflammatory response pathway and also to looking at the major aging parameter SIRT-1 in the presence of 5-HT in endothelium. Our data showed that in the presence of L-NAME, 30 min treatment of 5-HT significantly increased ICAM-1 and SIRT-1 expression without altering VCAM-1 expression and the up-regulation of ICAM-1 and SIRT-1 expression was prevented by PEG-Catalase. / In conclusion, with the eradication of the influence of NO, 5-HT induced mitochondrial H₂O₂ production via MAO-A-mediated metabolism in HUVECs. At the same time, 5-HT-induced H₂O₂ generation was involved in increasing endothelial permeability, inflammation and angiogenesis (cell migration). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Zhang, Qian. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 326-450). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Zhang, Qian.

Endothelial dysfunction is a broad term which implies alteration of the overall functions of endothelial cells, including impairment of the barrier functions, vasodilation, and disturbances in proliferative and angiogenic capacities, migratory as well as tube formation, and deterrence of leukocyte transmigration. Such a dysfunction is triggered by pro-inflammatory stimuli and has been associated to several pathological conditions including atherosclerosis. Myeloperoxidase is a heme peroxidase secreted by activated neutrophils at site of inflammation near blood vessels and plays an important role in the initiation of atherosclerotic plaque by interfering with endothelial function. ApoLs represent a family of newly discovered apolipoproteins with yet unrevealed function, but predicted to be involved in inflammatory processes and cell death mechanisms. We aimed to study the expression of ApoLs as well as Myeloperoxidase in endothelial cells and their possible contribution to endothelial dysfunction. We performed RNA sequencing on MPO-treated endothelial cells and found that most of the induced genes are related to angiogenesis and blood vessel morphogenesis mechanisms. MPO treatment resulted in intracellular MPO localization and mimicked the effects of VEGF on several signal transduction pathways, such as Akt, Erk and Fak involved in angiogenesis. Accordingly MPO, independently of its enzymatic activity, stimulated cellular proliferation, migration and tubules formation by endothelial cells. RNA interference also pointed at a role of endogenous MPO in tubulogenesis and endothelium wound repair in vitro.On the other hand, ApoL3 among other family members was shown to be a downstream responsive gene to MPO, VEGF and FGF treatment. ApoL3 invalidation reduces tubules formation in MPO and VEGF-induced angiogenesis and wound repair in vitro. Accordingly, pro-angiogenic signaling pathways (Erk1/2 and FAK but not Akt) and some pro-angiogenic genes were partially inhibited in ApoL3 Knock out cells. These findings uncover for the first time an important and unsuspected role for ApoL3 and MPO as drivers of angiogenesis. / Le dysfonctionnement endothélial est un terme qui désigne un dérèglement général de la fonction endothéliale, caractérisé par des perturbations de l’intégrité membranaire, de la croissance endothéliale, du rôle anti-inflammatoire ;anti-coagulant, ainsi que leur propriété angiogenique principalement la migration endothéliale et la formation des structures tubulaires. Cette condition patho-physiologique pourrait être déclenchée par des stimuli pro-inflammatoire et elle est souvent associée à l’athérosclérose. La myéloperoxydase est une enzyme secrétee par les neutrophiles et contribue à la formation de la plaque d’athérome. Une nouvelle famille de protéines, les apolipoprotéines L, susceptibles d'intervenir dans le processus inflammatoire est bien exprimée dans les cellules endothéliales. Néanmoins, aucune fonction ne lui a été attribuée jusqu’à présent dans ce type cellulaire.dans le cadre de ce travail, Nous nous sommes intéressés à étudier l’implication des ApoLs ainsi que la Myeloperoxydase dans la dysfonction endothéliale. L’analyse du transcriptome des cellules traitées avec la MPO a montré que lamajorité des génes induits contrôlent le processus angiogenique. La myeloperoxidase stimule la proliferation,migration et la tubulogenese des cellules endotheliales. Cet effet est médié par l’activation des cascades (ERK1/2, Akt et FAK) et des genes pro-angiogeniques. Tandis que la suppression de l’expression de la MPO endogène entraine l’inhibition de la capacité des cellules à migrer et de former des tubes.D’autre part, l’invalidation de l’ApoL3 inhibe la migration cellulaire et la tubulogenése dépendente de la MPO et le VEGF. Sur le plan mécanistique, ces altérations phénotypiques sont les conséquences d’une part, une baisse de phosphorylation des kinases Erk1/2 et FAk (mais pas Akt) et d’autre part de la réduction du taux d’expression des gènes pro-angiogeniques dans les cellules ApoL3 Knock out stimulées par la MPO et le VEGF. ce résultat nous permet de définir l’ApoL3 et la MPO en tant que nouvels acteurs dans le processus angiogenique. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Vascular diseases, such as stroke and heart attacks, account for more than 50% of abnormal death worldwide. The cause of these diseases is linked to malfunctions of vascular endothelial cells, in particular the endothelial glycocalyx. This study investigates the location and stability of the endothelial glycocalyx under different flow conditions in vitro. AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy) micro indentation is carried out on endothelial cell membrane to determine its Young's modulus. The Young's modulus of the glycocalyx layer is then deduced from measurements on cell membranes with, and those without, the glycocalyx layer. Heparan sulphate (HS) is an important component of the glycocalyx and can be removed by the enzyme heparinase-III (Hep-III). Our results show the glycocalyx on cultured Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) has a Young's modulus of ~0.64Kpa. We further observe how the Young's modulus of the endothelial cell membrane decreases with time, as the glycocalyx layer redevelops, following its removal by Hep-III. Steady and oscillatory shear stimulations are used in flow chamber experiments. Under 24 hours' steady shear stimulation (12.6 dyn/cm2), cells are seen to elongate and reorient parallel to the flow direction. The glycocalyx is seen to shift to the peripheral region of the cell surface. With actin depolymerisation treatment, significant shedding of the glycocalyx from the luminal surface of the cell is observed. This occurs together with the loss of focal adhesions on the basal membrane. When endothelial cells are subjected to 24 hours' oscillating shear stress, the size of the cell increases as the oscillatory reversal time (time between changes in oscillatory flow direction) increases. Measurements are taken with oscillatory flow reversal programmed at 5s, 10s and 15s. The angle (between the long axis of the cell and the flow direction) and the aspect ratio (long axis vs short axis) change from 41.57° and 1.72 : 1 (static) to 40.18° and 3.26 : 1 (5s), 36.71° and 4.17 : 1 (10s), 26.5° and 4.39 : 1 (15s). Both the height and the area of the cell increase. The Young's modulus of the endothelial cell membrane is measured under oscillatory flows with different reversal time and compared to that under static flow conditions. An increase in the Young's modulus is observable under oscillatory flows, with the most significant change occurring at the edge (i.e. periphery) of the cell membrane area. As the oscillatory reversal time increases from 5s to 15s, the Young's modulus of the cell membrane increases. In the apical areas of the cell membrane, the increase is less significant. These results indicate that the thickness of the glycocalyx decreases as cells are exposed to oscillatory flows, and the loss is most significant in the peripheral region of the cell membrane. As the oscillatory reversal time increases from 5s to 15s, so the loss in the glycocalyx increases.